Tim Walz's first order as Minn governor was to create DEI council, make himself the chair

Tim Walz’s first executive order as the Democratic governor of Minnesota governor was establishing a diversity, equity and inclusion council for all of the state government’s actions and designated himself as the chair. On Tuesday, Waltz was selected to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

The Democratic Vice Presidential nominee told The Associated Press in 2019 that the “One Minnesota Council on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity” would ensure the “lens of equity” for all state government businesses, including “recruiting; retaining and promoting state employees; state government contracting; and civic engagement.”

"Walz told reporters Wednesday he’ll chair the council," the AP said at the time, "patterned on a similar council formed by former Gov. Mark Dayton, but expand its scope to include geographic diversity and other considerations." Walz said that the point of the council, per AP, was to "work to ensure that all Minnesotans have the opportunity to fully participate in the development of state policy. He says it will ensure that the 'lens of equity' is focused on everything the state does, whether it’s transportation projects or hiring."

He has spoken many times about the "privilege" he's been given as a "white man." "I understand the privilege I've been given as a white man," he said during his leadership, saying that he was in office "not just to talk about the problem" of racial disparity "but the solve the problem."

According to the order, “Disparities in Minnesota, including those based on race, geography, and economic status, keep our entire state from reaching its full potential. As long as inequities impact Minnesotans’ ability to be successful, we have work to do.”

Walz also established the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity to work with the council to develop a “long-range” plan for the state to infuse “anti-racism principles” into every state agency.

Every state agency was required to develop “anti-racist and equitable frameworks” and the order mandated that state employees “are aware of and can clearly communicate why it is important to end systemic racism” and understand “how their individual work contributes to ending it in state government.” That year, Walz also created the role of chief equity officer.